As chief of Clan Elliot, Margeret Elliot stood out at the great Gathering of the clans in Edinburgh as one of only seven lady chiefs in attendance.
She was one of over 50,000 people who enjoyed the traditional Scottish blend of sun and rain in the park beside the national parliament. Pipers played, dancers danced and thousands of clanfolk from all over the world got the chance to meet the heads of their families.
As an air of enthusiasm prevailed among the skirl of the bagpipes, the chief of the Elliots insisted her family was going from strength to strength.
“It’s very easy to stand out amongst all those gentlemen chiefs. It’s good fun and I love it – all my clan. I’m very proud of my history.
“We have a great time. We go to America and we have lots of Elliots. We just had a meeting in the Borders and we had 186 Elliots. That was quite something.
She added: “Come and see us. Come to the Borders. You’re always welcome.”
One of the historically distinguished Riding Clans of the Borders, the Elliots of Redheugh fought and died at Flodden and enjoyed a good number of bloody feuds with their neighbours.
James IV spoiled the fun when he exerted his control over the lawless clans with a spate of executions and punishments. The estates of the Redheughs eventually passed to the current chiefs, the Elliots of Stobbs.
